1992: French-Canadian factions renew Quebec's fight to gain independence. Véronique Fortin, daughter of a radical separatist convicted of kidnapping and murdering a prominent politician in 1970, has embraced her father's cause. Then she falls for James Phénix, a journalist of French-Canadian heritage who opposes Quebec separatism. Their love affair is as passionate as it is turbulent. His sister, Elodie Phénix, one of the Duplessis Orphans, becomes involved with a coalition demanding justice and reparations for their suffering in the 1950s when Quebec's orphanages were converted to mental hospitals. Véronique is the only person Elodie can rely on as she fights for retribution, while Elodie becomes a sisterly presence for Véronique, who continues to struggle with her family's legacy.